Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Municipal council information portal taken offline to prevent security breach
The Amsterdam municipal government has temporarily disabled its Notubiz information system as a precaution against global cyberattacks targeting PHP vulnerabilities. This outage affects public access ...
Outdated information used in documents regarding tourist and advertising taxes
The Haarlem city council has postponed its vote on revisions to tourism and advertising taxes due to the use of outdated documents containing technical errors. Finance Alderman Hendrik Jan Biemond apo...
Outdated information used in documents on tourist and advertising taxes
The Amsterdam city council has delayed voting on tax regulation changes after officials discovered that outdated versions of the documents were inadvertently used. Finance Alderman Hendrik Jan Biemond...
All countries doing too little for climate, further warming threatens: 'No more excuses'
A UN report warns that global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient, placing the world on track for nearly 3 degrees of warming. While the 1.5-degree target is increasingly out of ...
Opinion of former alderman Duco Stadig: As long as Amsterdam wants the cruise terminal gone, the East Bridge moves further into the future
The development of the Oostbrug in Amsterdam has stalled due to a conflict between the city and nautical partners regarding the removal of the sea cruise terminal. Because the municipality lacks the a...
Michel Peters, chair of queer police network Pink in Blue: ‘Amsterdam is no longer the tolerant city it once was. And I am naming the elephant in the room’
Michel Peters, chairman of the queer police network Roze in Blauw, warns that Amsterdam is becoming less tolerant toward the LGBTQ+ community due to increased violence and intimidation. He urges victi...
Political reporter David Hielkema reflects on 5.5 years at City Hall: I became softer on politicians, not on power
Parool journalist David Hielkema reflects on his five-and-a-half-year career covering Amsterdam city politics. He discusses his personal growth and changing perspectives on politicians while maintaini...
Live: Driehoek to hold press conference at 7 p.m. on the death of Hajar (29)
Amsterdam officials are holding a press conference to provide updates on the death of 29-year-old Hajar, whose body was found in a suitcase near the Amsteldijk. The woman had been missing since early ...
Support for chemsex issues collapses after closure of Stichting Mainline
The closure of Stichting Mainline has severely limited accessible support services for individuals in Amsterdam facing problems related to chemsex. Healthcare providers are now sounding the alarm, war...
What will the new Meervaart theater look like? Residents can vote
The municipality of Amsterdam has unveiled five architectural designs for the new Meervaart theater at Sloterplas and is inviting public feedback through October 29. A selection committee will review ...
What will the new Meervaart theater look like? Residents can vote
Amsterdam has released five architectural designs for the new Meervaart theater in Nieuw-West, inviting public feedback through October 29. A committee will evaluate these proposals, aiming to begin c...
Jetten has child via surrogacy: these are the rules and what the cabinet wants to change
Deputy Prime Minister Rob Jetten and his partner plan to welcome a child via surrogacy in 2027, highlighting the complexities of current Dutch legal procedures for intended parents. The government is ...
Justice: 6-year prison sentence demanded for Kamal el M. (30), alleged 'information broker' for corrupt officials and criminals
Prosecutors have requested a six-year prison sentence for Kamal el M., a 30-year-old man accused of acting as an information broker for criminals. He allegedly bribed a corrupt Amsterdam enforcement o...
Dozens of civil servants still hired after Amsterdam vacancy freeze, policy had to be tightened ‘immediately’
The municipality of Amsterdam hired at least 73 new civil servants despite a hiring freeze that has been in effect since July 1. In response, officials tightened the policy in late September by haltin...
Badhoevedorp residents furious over planned 'traffic cut': 'It was already decided'
Residents of Badhoevedorp are protesting a planned traffic closure on the Zeemanlaan that aims to create a car-free village center. Despite overwhelming local opposition in a recent survey, the munici...
China and the US are going full throttle on AI, the EU is hitting the brakes: how wise is that?
While China and the United States push ahead with rapid AI development, the European Union maintains a cautious stance focused on strict regulation. Critics argue this approach hampers European innova...
Sanne was a surrogate for her brothers-in-law and tips Rob Jetten: 'Rent a holiday home together during the maternity period'
Rob Jetten and his partner are expecting a child via a surrogate next year. Sanne Riepema, who previously acted as a surrogate mother for a couple, shares advice with the pair on managing the challeng...
Public Prosecution Service demands community service and prison sentence for Samer A. (37) for hitting spectators with a plank at UvA pro-Palestine protest
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence and community service for Samer A. after he assaulted two onlookers with a wooden plank during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Amsterdam. The d...
‘Share your photos’ – French politicians battle on Instagram over the story behind the protests
Recent protests in France have sparked a fragmented online discourse, with social media filled with conflicting footage of both violent looting and peaceful demonstrations. Political leaders are activ...
Trump allocates billions to compensate farmers for high diesel prices
Donald Trump has announced a multi-billion dollar compensation program to help American farmers manage the impact of record-high diesel prices. The payments, managed by the Farm Service Agency, are in...
Minister now understands why Halsema did not intervene against Hamas banners: "No other option"
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema and Justice Minister David van Weel have reconciled after the Minister acknowledged that current laws prevented the Mayor from stopping pro-Hamas banners at an October 7 ...
Minister now understands why Halsema did not intervene against Hamas banners: "No other option"
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema and Justice Minister David van Weel have reconciled after a disagreement regarding the city's decision not to intervene during a protest displaying pro-Hamas banners. The...
Johan Derksen: Of course Rob Jetten can relax and bathe the baby, there are no pressing issues in this country anyway
Rob Jetten and his partner have announced they are expecting a child through a surrogate mother, sparking media discussions on parenting and political responsibilities. The announcement has also highl...
Amsterdammer Coos Huijsen (87), first openly gay MP, dies
Coos Huijsen, the first openly gay member of the Dutch parliament, has died at the age of 87. He is remembered for his advocacy work regarding Article 1 of the Constitution and his lifelong commitment...
Fireworks, stones and glass thrown at police in Amsterdam's Floradorp neighborhood
Police have arrested two individuals in the Amsterdam-Noord neighborhood of Floradorp following a series of violent incidents involving fireworks, stones, and arson. The unrest was sparked by Mayor Ha...
Glass and stones thrown at police in Floradorp, two arrests
Police arrested two individuals in Amsterdam's Floradorp neighborhood after crowds threw glass, stones, and fireworks at officers during ongoing unrest. The disturbances are rooted in a traditional pr...
Victims of the benefits scandal assisted by ‘listening writers’: ‘I want them to see the human behind the ID number’
The foundation Gelijkwaardig Herstel is assisting victims of the Dutch childcare benefits scandal by helping them apply for additional compensation. Volunteers known as listening writers collaborate w...
Fatherhood is the next milestone for Prime Minister Jetten, he pays no mind to hostility
Prime Minister Rob Jetten has announced that he will become the first Dutch head of government to father a child while in office. The prime minister, who is the first openly gay leader of the country,...
Croatian police charge 23 Hajduk Split fans for Nazi slogans
Croatian police are prosecuting 23 Hajduk Split supporters for shouting anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi slogans during a violent clash with Ajax fans in Split. The club has issued an apology to Ajax as offi...
Van Weel now understands Halsema not intervening with Hamas banners: Should have called her instead
Minister Van Weel has retracted his criticism of Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema regarding her decision not to intervene during a protest featuring Hamas symbols. After consulting with the mayor, Van We...